Welcome! As a guest or first time visitor you may have a few questions about who we are and how you fit into Christ’s ministry here at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church.

Who We Are

Come and embrace the spirit of Christ’s mission at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church. We are a faith community of believers and seekers who explore and embrace life’s great questions, even when we do not have all the answers.

We are an active, inclusive, and joy-filled congregation whose purpose is to be in the mountains for good.

Shepherd of the Mountains Mission Statement

God has called us to be in the mountains for good, centered in the story of Jesus for the sake of the world through worship, fellowship and service.

We invite you to join us for worship, spiritual growth, friendship, and service to others. Know that at Shepherd of the Mountains we agree to differ, resolve to love, and to unite to serve.

No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, there is a place for you here. You are always welcome at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church!

When we say all are welcome, we really mean it!

We embrace diversity in our congregation and community, and we affirm the dignity and worth of every person created in the image of God. We honor the guiding principle that discrimination is incompatible with Christ’s message of unconditional love. We welcome into full membership and participation in all aspects of our church life persons of every race, language, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental ability, economic or marital status, and faith background, and we affirm and celebrate all loving and committed relationships. All are welcome.

Stewardship / Evangelism / Small Groups / Families with Children

How to Learn More About Us & How You Fit In

Worship bulletin inserts each Sunday.

WEBSITE: In-depth and easily accessible. Shepherd of the Mountain’s website gives you access to a complete calendar of events, groups in which you might want to become involved, insight into the staff and how to contact them, pastor’s comments, history of the congregation, and much more. Explore at shepherdofthemountains.org.

The Language and Order of our Worship Service

We know that the language of worship can be confusing…especially for a first-time visitor. We hope the following list of terms and definitions will help you better understand and experience our worship service:

Prelude: Introductory music that sets the mood for worship.

Welcome: All are welcome! Worship is not about clergy processing around and telling the people what to do. Worship is the work of the people.

Hymns: Songs that everybody can sing. The hymns are chosen according to the Church year and the theme of the scriptures. The first hymn in the service is usually the gathering song or opening hymn.

Confession and Forgiveness: We confess our sins at the beginning of the service so that we may be gathered as a community with a whole heart. We pray for God’s forgiveness and guidance. We gather just as we are and God accepts us just as we are.

Greeting: A reminder that the grace of God is always first and foremost in our lives.

Kyrie: A contemplative moment that helps to establish the nature of our relationship with God. It reminds us of our dependence on God’s mercy.

Hymn of Praise: A hymn that is an expression of pure joy in God’s presence.

Prayer of the Day: A prayer chosen to set the tone for a particular day and for the lessons to follow.

Children Sermon: A moment in which the pastor has a conversation with children reminding them about God’s love and their relationship with the world.

Word: Readings from the Bible. Used as the background for the sermon.

Gospel Acclamation: The verse for preparation to hear and receive the Gospel lesson.

Gospel Lesson: This lesson always comes from one of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These gospels are all biographies of the life of Jesus. The gospel determines the theme of the day.

Sermon: The pastor shares how the teachings from the Bible can be understood and become a part of our everyday life.

The Creed: A public response of faith.

Prayer of the People: The prayer of our concerns for our world and for our community.

Peace of Christ: The sign that reconciliation among us can only be made possible through the love of Christ.

Offertory: Music during the offering.

Offering: Money used to do God’s work in our church and in the world around us.

Offertory Prayer: A prayer to dedicate our offering to God and to God’s work in the world.

Holy Communion: We commune together that we may be fed and strengthened to share our burdens and celebrations as we participate in Christ’s mission.

The Lord’s Prayer: A prayer Jesus taught his disciples.

Post Communion Prayer: A prayer asking God to unite us in Christ’s love as well as to strengthen us for Christ’s mission.

Benediction: A spoken blessing at the end of the worship service. It is a declaration and assurance that we will always live in the light of God’s love and grace.

Dismissal: A reminder that our worship never ends. We are sent out into the world to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Postlude: Music at the end of the service to make you feel glad you came.

Other Helpful Words to Know

Alb: The robe the pastor, assistant to the pastor, and acolytes wear.

Altar: The table from which the Lord’s Supper is served. It holds candles, bread, wine, prayers, altar book.

Ambo: The place where the scripture is read.

Lectionary: An organized selection of scriptures for use in worship for a three-year period.
Each Sunday a passage from the Old Testament, the Book of Psalms, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Narthex: The vestibule leading to the sanctuary.

Paraments: Cloths on the altar and ambo, representing the colors of the church year.

Sanctuary: the place in the church where the people in the congregation sit.

Stole: A piece of cloth that the pastor wears around the neck and down the front of the alb. It symbolizes being in Christ’s service.

General Information

Fellowship: Following each worship service. A time to connect and share stories. Coffee, juice, snacks are served.

Christian Education: Christian education offered during each worship service as Sunday School for children beginning September thru May. Adult Education offered between services at 9:30am. Bible Study offered on Wednesdays at 9am. Confirmation retreats for 7th grade and older offered throughout the school year.

Name Badges: Leave note with administrator if desire name badge.

Hearing Assist: Hearing assist is available from ushers. The sanctuary is equipped for hearing assistance.

Bibles: Bibles are on tables at the back of the sanctuary.

If you or family member or friend is going into the hospital or has a pastoral need, please let us know by contacting the church office (435-649-2233) or indicate on visitor cards.

Prayer Requests: If you or someone you know would like the Shepherd of the Mountain Prayer Chain to pray for you, please fill out a prayer request on the visitor card and place it in the offering plate.

Want to become a member of Shepherd of the Mountains?

You will always be welcome to worship and participate in all that is offered at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church without becoming a member. But, if you are drawn to become a member of Shepherd of the Mountains, or if you would simply would like more information about what it means to be a member of this congregation, please contact Pastor Steve Leiser at 435-649-2233, or, better yet, talk with him in person prior or following worship.

For more information about Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, please visit our website at www.shepherdofthemountains.org or email us at office@shepherdofthemountains.org or call us at 435-649-2233